General of the Army (Indonesia)
General of the Army, (Indonesian: Jenderal Besar), was the highest rank of the Indonesian Army. Within the Indonesian Armed Forces ranking system, it was the equivalent of admiral of the fleet (Indonesian: laksamana besar) and marshal of the air force (Indonesian: marsekal besar).[1] Those ranks were honorary and did not provide additional authority or responsibility.[1]
The rank has been only awarded to three persons, all in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.[2]
- Sudirman, also styled Supreme Commander (Indonesian: panglima besar), the commander of the armed forces during the war of independence and a national hero. The rank was granted posthumously.
- Abdul Haris Nasution, a national hero, twice appointed chief of staff of the army, and a survivor of an assassination attempt in the 1965 coup attempt.
- Suharto, the second President of Indonesia. The rank was bestowed during his presidency.
As Government Regulation No. 32/1997 has been revoked and replaced by Government Regulation No. 39/2010,[3] the five-star rank no longer exists within the Indonesian ilitary.
The insignia for jenderal besar is five golden stars arranged in a pentagon formation. Thus, the insignia is very similar to the United States Army rank of general of the army.